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Chelsea vs Southampton predicted XI: Rotated XI from Tuchel

By Vansh Ambashta

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Oriol Romeu of Southampton battles for possession with Ben Chilwell of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 17, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Childs - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Oriol Romeu of Southampton battles for possession with Ben Chilwell of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 17, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Childs - Pool/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Oriol Romeu of Southampton battles for possession with Ben Chilwell of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 17, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Childs – Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Oriol Romeu of Southampton battles for possession with Ben Chilwell of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 17, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Childs – Pool/Getty Images) /

Callum Hudson-Odoi (No. 20) Right wingback, England

Callum Hudson-Odoi was lively against Juventus with his brief cameo. He continuously showed intent and a desire to take on his marker and succeeded on at least a couple of occasions. At the moment, the Blues lack a player with the ability to beat a man in the team. Azpilicueta has been reliable on the right, but he has been guilty of delaying crosses and passing backwards on more than one occasion. Tuchel has to give Hudson-Odoi a chance to prove himself against Southampton. With James injured, this could be the perfect opportunity for the winger turned wingback to force his way into the starting XI, and for that, he needs a fair chance.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (No. 12) Central midfielder, England

With four midfielders and a plethora of forwards, the chances of Ruben Loftus-Cheek featuring this season looked bleak. However, in a promising display against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup, there were shades of the drive, the physicality and the dribbling that made fans fall in love with him in the first place. Tuchel rewarded the Englishman with a chance against Manchester City as the Blues were chasing the game. Against Juventus, Tuchel brought him at the hour mark again. There was an instant change in the energy out there with him in the contest. Chelsea has tried a number of forwards up front with Romelu Lukaku. Hakim Ziyech was flat against Juventus and Kai Havertz has been bang average. The Blues might have all the talent in the world, as do the players, but they have failed to perform. Loftus-Cheek has worked hard and performed in the limited opportunities that he has gotten. Tuchel should start him against Saints and this should be a statement—as well as a warning—to the other forwards.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy

Mateo Kovacic started the season off brilliantly. He was putting in world-class performances and even ended up scoring a goal, which is a pretty rare sight. However, the Croatian was poor against Manchester City and Juventus. Usually incisive with his passing, he was guilty of losing the ball close to the back line on several occasions. A couple of chances could have led to a goal as Juventus got the ball in a dangerous area. Yet, Tuchel insisted that Kovacic has a good connection with Lukaku, which probably means that the Croatian starts against Southampton.

Ben Chilwell (No. 21) Left wingback, England

Marcos Alonso tends to start seasons off well, and at one point or another, his form starts fading away. His deficiencies become more and more visible as the season progresses.  Alonso was poor against City and Juventus (first half), which means Chilwell should get a run out. Tuchel substituted Alonso at halftime in Italy and it was evident that he wanted to see more from the Spaniard. Chilwell looked decent in the second half and it seems he is finally ready to make his way back into the first team.

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